Continental ContiSportContact 3 review

What is it?

TheContinental ContiSportContact 3 is a max performance summer tire designed for performance-oriented coupes and sedans, and sports cars. The successor to the ContiSportContact 2, the ContiSportContact 3 aims to improve in all performance areas, as well as comfort characteristics and treadlife.

Strengths and weaknesses?

Commendable dry traction and handling. Very good ride quality as well. Wet condition performance is also a high point.

Treadlife still isn't up to par with the ContiSportContact 3, although it's reportedly improved some over the ContiSportContact 2 (that would have been difficult not to achieve).

How does the ContiSportContact 3 compare?

In the max performance summer tire category, the ContiSportContact 3 is about mid-pack according to user feedback. Marked improvements in dry and wet traction, as well as ride quality and road noise over its predecessor still aren't enough to move the ContiSportContact 3 into the upper echelon of max performance summer tires. Limited treadlife continues to drag the ranking down some. As compared to tires like the Michelin Pilot Super Sport, the ContiSportContact 3 is well off the pace.

Not particularly compelling considering the performance and price. The ContiSportContact 3 is more expensive than the class-leading and far more current Michelin Pilot Super Sport, for example. Why pay more for less performance, less treadlife, just... less?